Children in care mostly agree it was the right thing for them

A survey of children in care has shown that the majority believe it was the right thing for them despite half not wanting to leave home at the time of the decision being taken.

A survey by the Children’s Rights Director, Roger Morgan, of 50 children in care also showed that over half felt they had had sufficient support from social workers and their famiy had had enough support.

Despite this generally positive response to social workers, fewer than half of the children surveyed said they had been told how to contact a social worker themselves before coming into care.

Just over half – 26 – children said they had not wanted to leave home at the time of being taken into care. A majority of 36, however, said that at the moment, they believed being taken into care had been the right thing to do. Nine said they were not sure, while just six said it was probably or definitely not the right thing.

Children said care had been the right choice because they were now looked after well, were happier, and more settled. Some said it gave them a better life with more opportunities.